I have found this lesson to be extremely difficult for many students because of the number 8. Six can be tricky, but most students don't get as frustrated with it as the number 8. A lot of my students come to kindergarten "knowing" how to write a number eight, but they do what I call a "snowman eight." They simply draw two circles on top of one another. Modeling is very important in this case. I take extra time explaining how to write the eight and showing the students how to do it correctly. I also make sure that the students learn the rhyme. If they say the rhyme "We make a snake but do not wait to climb back up and make an eight," they are more likely to remember to make the eight correctly.

I found that I needed to model the number 8 at several tables for the students to see again while they practiced on their own paper. I also had students who were getting frustrated practice writing it on their hand with their finger and in air.

Figure 8 or Snowman 8

Modeling: Figure 8 or Snowman 8

How Do We Write Numerals? Writing 6, 7, & 8

How Do We Write Numerals? Writing 6, 7, & 8

Unit 3: Numbers to 10
Lesson 6 of 19

Objective: Students will be able to name, count and write numbers six, seven, and eight.

I start the lesson with a problem of the day to help students review skills and concepts from prior lessons and develop their ability to problem solve. I call the students up to the carpet. The students find their spots while saying this chant with me.

I project the Problem of the Day on the SMARTBoard and say to students, "This is our Problem of the Day for today. This says 'Match the numeral to the correct group. Draw a picture to match the remaining numeral.'" I say, "This problem has two parts. What is the first thing it asks us to do?" (Match the numbers to the correct group.) I have a student come up, count the mice and drag the correct number into the box. I have another student come up, count the frogs and drag the correct number into the box. "Listen to the direction again. 'Match the numbers to the correct group. Draw a picture to match the remaining number.' What do we need to do next?" (Draw a picture to match the remaining number.) I have a student come up, drag the number 7 into the remaining box and draw a picture of 7 objects. I let the student select what they would like to draw, but I suggest a simple shape. I tell students that when we are drawing in math, we need to keep our pictures simple. I say this because sometimes students get too focused on how to draw a certain picture and forget the math skill that they are working on.

If you don't have a SMARTBoard, you can use the pdf copy of the slides in a variety of ways to reproduce this activity.

I tell students, "Today we will keep learning about numbers. We are going to learn to write the numbers 6, 7 and 8."

Resources

I draw 6 dots on a white board and ask students to count the dots with me. I then write the number 6 on the board. I tell students, "This is a number 6." I continue with numbers 7 and 8. I tell students that we will be reading a story today calledTen Little Babies. I use this book because it has large numerals on the pages. The students also enjoy the pictures of the babies and how each baby leaves as the book counts down. I read through the first two pages of the story. During the pages for 8, 7, and 6, I stop to have the students count how many babies are in the picture and name the number. I hold up the book so that all of the students can see the number and draw it with their finger in the air. I continue to read the rest of the story as a review of other numbers and for the students to enjoy.

I tell students that we will be practicing the numbers 6, 7 and 8 on a Writing Numbers 6, 7, and 8 worksheet. I show students the paper and say, "We will be working on this paper together. You need to get out a pencil and put your name on your paper. When your name is on your paper hold your pencil in the air, that will let me know that you are ready to start." I like to have students hold up their pencils or put their hands on their heads when they are finished with a task. It makes it easy for me to see who is ready and also keeps the students from writing all over their papers while they wait for other students to finish. I hand each student a paper for them to take back to their seats and while the students are writing their names, I turn on the projector and document camera and display the worksheet on the SMARTBoard. When all students have their pencils up, I say, "The directions on this paper say ‘Count the objects. Trace and write the number.' Put your pencil point on the first baby boy. Point to each baby as we count together. How many baby boys are there?" I call on a student who is raising a quiet hand. I have the student come up and point to the baby boys as they count aloud. I then model how to write the number 6. I say this rhyme as I write it "Six is found by going down and around." The rhymes I use to write the numbers I learned from another teacher, and they work great to help the students remember how to write the numbers. I continue this with the questions about the bottles and the baby girls. When modeling the number 7, I say, "Across the sky and down from heaven. That's the way to make a seven." When modeling the number 8, I say, "We make a snake but do not wait to climb back up and make an eight." When we are finished, I say, "The next set of directions says, 'Count the objects. Write the number.'" You may finish the paper on your own." When they are finished, they put their papers into the paper tray in the front of the classroom and get their center.

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Resources

Since the students finish their papers at different times, I circulate through the room to make sure that students are completing their papers, putting it in the tray and getting their centers. This week's centers are:

I quickly circulate to make sure students are engaged and do not have any questions about how to complete the centers. I pull three groups during centers. I pull the first group for 10 minutes and the other two groups for 5 minutes each. The first group is comprised of the students who were having trouble identifying numbers and matching the numbers to objects. I have a basic idea of who I want in each group based on recent assessments, but I also take into account how the students did in the whole group lesson. I pull the students back to my small group table to do a reteach activity using flash cards and manipulatives (for this lesson I used cookies). I show the flash cards and have students practice identifying the numbers. I then give each student a pile of cookies (1-8) and have them pick the number card that matches their group. Today I use Giant Tracing Numbers from Lakeshore that the students can trace on with a dry erase maker. The next two groups do a follow up activity that reviews identifying numbers, counting objects. I use the flash cards and manipulatives with these groups as well. I start by showing the students flash cards again and having them practice identifying the numbers. I do this much quicker for these groups. I then give each student a pile of manipulatives (6-8) and have them write the number on a white board. Prior to clean up, I check in with each table to see how the centers are going. I turn on Tidy Up by Dr. Jean.

There are many wonderful transition songs to be found, for free, online if you'd like to use music for transitions too.

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Resources

I close this lesson by inviting students back up to the carpet. I turn on the SMARTBoard and let one of the students who did well writing 6, 7, and 8 come up and show us how to write a 6, 7, and 8. As they write, I have the other students say the number rhymes with me.

I mention positive things that I noticed during centers. I also include something that needs to be better next time. I review what we did during our whole group lesson. "Today we learned how to write the numbers 6, 7, and 8. How do we remember how to write a 6?" (Six is found by going down and around.) "A 7?" (Across the sky and down from heaven. That's the way to make a 7.) "An 8?" We make a snake but do not wait to climb back up and make an eight. "Let's count to 8 together." 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 "Tomorrow, we are going to continue practicing how to write the numbers 6, 7, and 8.”